MICROBIOME TESTING

€285

Bacterial Composition & Microbiome Balance

  1. Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) Ratio

    • Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are the two most dominant bacterial phyla in the gut.

    • High F/B ratio: Associated with obesity and weight gain, as Firmicutes extract more energy from food.

    • Low F/B ratio: Often linked to leanness, inflammation, or certain digestive disorders.

  2. Microbiome & Weight Gain Conditions

    • Certain bacterial strains are linked to weight regulation:

      • More Firmicutes → More energy extraction → Weight gain

      • More Bacteroidetes → Less energy extraction → Leaner body composition

    • Other bacteria like Akkermansia muciniphila support a healthy metabolism and may help prevent obesity.

  3. Butyric Acid Producing Bacteria

    • These bacteria produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) that:

      • Reduces inflammation

      • Strengthens the gut lining

      • Supports metabolic health

    • Examples: Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Roseburia, and Clostridium spp.

  4. Bacteria That Break Down Fibre

    • Help digest dietary fibre, producing beneficial SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids) like butyrate.

    • Examples: Bifidobacterium, Ruminococcus, and Prevotella spp.

  5. Bacteria with Probiotic Properties

    • Beneficial bacteria that promote gut health, immunity, and digestion.

    • Examples:

      • Lactobacillus spp. (Supports digestion & immunity)

      • Bifidobacterium spp. (Supports gut barrier & reduces inflammation)

      • Akkermansia muciniphila (Supports metabolism & gut lining integrity)

  6. Pathogenic Bacteria

    • Harmful bacteria that can cause infections, gut dysbiosis, or chronic inflammation.

    • Examples:

      • Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) – Causes severe diarrhoea

      • Salmonella spp. – Causes food poisoning

      • Escherichia coli (certain strains) – Can cause gut infections

  7. Hydrogen Sulphide Producing Bacteria

    • Produce hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), which can be beneficial or harmful depending on levels.

    • In low amounts: Supports gut health.

    • In excess: Can damage the gut lining, causing inflammation and digestive issues.

    • Examples: Desulfovibrio, Bilophila wadsworthia.

  8. Presence of Oxalate-Degrading Bacteria

    • Help break down oxalates, reducing the risk of kidney stones.

    • Example: Oxalobacter formigenes (linked to lower kidney stone risk).

Viral Composition

  1. Bacteriophages

    • Viruses that infect and regulate bacteria in the gut.

    • Help maintain balance by controlling harmful bacteria and shaping microbiome diversity.

Fungal Composition

  1. Fungal Composition

  • The gut mycobiome consists of fungi that interact with bacteria and the immune system.

  • Examples:

    • Saccharomyces boulardii (Probiotic yeast, beneficial for gut health)

    • Candida spp. (Can cause fungal overgrowth and digestive issues)

Archaeal Composition

  1. Archaeal Composition

  • Archaea are single-celled microorganisms that live in the gut, often involved in methane production.

  • Example: Methanobrevibacter smithii (Associated with constipation and slow digestion when overgrown).